How to Import OST File into Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, & 2010

Offline Storage Table or OST is an encrypted Outlook data file created when you set up an account in MS Outlook. It is linked to a specific profile on a specific PC where you have configured your account. Outlook Data Files (.ost) are used when you have an MS Exchange account and you want to work in the offline mode. They become a huge asset in case of server downtime or an unstable internet connection. There can be situations where you may need to access OST files on a different computer in a different location via Outlook. However, MS Outlook does not permit the manual importing of items from an offline Outlook data file (ost). In order to open an OST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 you need to convert it into a PST data file.  

A Personal Storage Table (.pst) is a personal folder file in MS Outlook used for storing copies of messages, contacts, calendar items, attachments, tasks, notes, etc. PST files can also be used for exporting items from any type of email account and importing items from other Outlook data files.

Once an OST file is converted into a PST file format, you can easily access it in Outlook. This blog summarizes manual methods to Convert OST to PST into Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010. We will also discuss an amazing tool to perform the conversion quickly and with greater efficiency. But first, we will focus on free solutions.

Import OST File into Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 using Manual Methods

There are many methods to convert OST files into PST files. Some of them are as follows :

Approach #1: Utilizing the Archive Feature of MS Outlook

Outlook allows you to archive data by converting all the items of the OST mailbox to the PST format. However, it does not permit archiving of contacts. Follow the steps given below for importing OST files into MS Outlook.

1. Start MS Outlook and open the OST file from where you want to export data.
2. Click on File > Info > Cleanup tools.
3. Select the Archive from the available options. 
4. In the dialog box that appears, make sure that the Archive this folder and all subfolders options are selected.
5. Select the folder that you need to export to PST (e.g., outbox).
6. In the Archive items older than the box, give a date. All the items received before the specified date will be archived. 
7. Give a destination path for the new PST file under the Archive File option.
8. Click on OK to finish the export process.

Approach #2: Utilizing Import / Export Wizard 

In this method, you need to login to Outlook with the MS Exchange account used for creating the OST file. To convert OST file into PST using this method, follow the steps given below:

1. Go to Files > Open & Export. Now click Import & Export.
2. Select Outlook Data File and click Next.
3. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click on Next.
4. Select the folder you want to export and click Next.
5. Browse to the location where you want to save the new PST file and select the appropriate option with regard to duplicate items. 

Note: The above-mentioned free conversion method will work only as long as you are connected to the MS Exchange Microsoft Exchange Server.

Approach #3: Drag and Drop Mailbox Items 

Follow the steps given below to relocate the OST files into the PST file format using this method.

1. Launch MS Outlook on your system.
2. Open a blank PST file in MS Outlook. 
3. Now drag the required mailbox folder that you wish to export in the blank PST file. 

This method is very time-consuming and tedious as you need to repeat the procedure for every single OST file item that you wish to convert into a PST file. Items such as Contacts, Calendars, Inboxes, etc. cannot be moved and you need to create a separate PST file for each item separately.

Direct Ways for Import OST File into Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013 & Below Version

The above-mentioned free solutions are time-consuming and tedious and may not work in all situations. You can try Aryson OST to PST Converter Tool top-rated software used to restore emails from an OST file and convert them into Outlook PST file including email, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, etc. with ease. The smart preview feature of this software will help you to get a detailed preview of your OST mailbox before saving them to a new PST file. It also import OST to Office 365, Live Exchange Server, Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, and other cloud storage platforms. Being a professional tool, it keeps the original OST data intact during the conversion process. If you are a complete novice user without any prior technical expertise, you can use this software without any difficulty.

Reason for Importing OST File into Outlook 2016 and Below Version

As we know that an OST file cannot be directly imported into MS Outlook, let us find out when it becomes a necessity to convert offline OST files to the PST format:

1. When the MS Exchange Server crashes it causes a lot of inconveniences. Although you can access your mailbox content offline through OST files, you can’t make any changes. So there arises a need for conversion of OST files into PST files.
2. When you encounter “OST File Cannot Be Opened Error in MS Outlook” message then you have need to import. 
3. If the Microsoft Exchange Server goes for maintenance, it takes some time. You cannot access your mailbox content during that time so you need to convert the mailbox data into the PST format.
4. If you are migrating your mailbox content from one place to another or from one system to another, you must perform OST conversion. The reason is that an OST file can only be opened in the system in which it was originally created.
5. You have switched to a new organization that does not use Microsoft Exchange Server, but you were using it in the previous organization. If you want to access your old mailbox content, you need to convert the OST files into PST file format.
6. If your OST mailbox gets corrupted due to any reason, you have to convert OST files into a PST format to restore your mailbox content.

Conclusion

OST files contain crucial data from the Microsoft Server. However, it is not easy to import OST files into Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 as Outlook doesn’t permit the manual importing of OST data. So we have discussed manual methods to import OST into Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010. But as no manual method is foolproof, it is better to go for a professional solution as it makes the conversion process simpler and less time-consuming.

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